Pruning OLD Sweet Autumn Clematis now

16 years ago

I just finished pruning my Sweet Autumn Clematis. Unfortunately, I did NOT aggressively prune for a few years - I just cut it back partially. It still bloomed nicely - but, it was bare towards the bottom.

I have pruned pretty hard this Spring - not realizing that I shouldn't have pruned past the last buds. I have two out of six canes that still have buds - the others do not. My canes are over an inch in diameter. Will they grow anything and produce flowers again?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (4)

jeanne_texas
16 years ago
You will most definitely see new vines emerge from the soil..this rejuvenation you did on your SAC will pay you back with a more robust and flowery shrub...don't worry...Jeanne
stilldaddysgirl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you Jeanne from Texas! I was very worried that I may have damaged it beyond recovery - thank you for taking the time to reassure me :0) I will look forward to my blooms. It was my mother in laws plant, we moved it when she left the farm and came to live with us 7 years ago. It has done beautifully. My son also took a start and his is happily climbing around his hot tub enclosure.
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jeanne_texas
16 years ago
You are so welcomed hon..please come on here and shout the glories of your pruning come this late summer/early fall when your SAC blows you away with her beauty!!..not to mention her intoxicating fragrance!!..Jeanne
auntlavender
16 years ago
I did something similar last spring. A very old and well established sweet autumn. I cut it back HARD. Maybe leaving only 6-8 inches. It was very thick and trunk like. It had a spectacular year. It grew to it's pre-pruning height and flowered like never before. AND it was covered with flowers from top to bottom! I don't regret a thing!